Panama can live with reshuffled Wales

Wales fans are set for a glimpse into the future in Cardiff and it may enable Panama to avoid defeat in what could be Chris Coleman’s last match in charge of his country.

Coleman said when he selected his squad for the France-Panama double-header that he would play two different sides.

That may well mean starts for players such as Ethan Ampadu, Tom Lockyer, Ben Woodburn and Tom Bradshaw for a match that will mean the world to those youngsters but not much to anyone else.

If Coleman is true to his word in terms of team selection in what may be his farewell outing, the Panama or draw double chance at 13-10 merits serious consideration, especially with the Welsh missing Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey.

Wales are off-colour anyway. Their 2-0 defeat to France in Paris on Friday extended their recent run to just three wins in ten games and they have failed to score in their last couple of matches.

Panama who, unlike Wales, are heading for Russia next summer, are an improving side although they were gift-wrapped their place in the World Cup.

They scored only one goal in four games against Mexico and the USA, and were able to sneak third place in qualifying by beating an already-qualified Costa Rica in their final game.

Their first friendly assignment since that momentous night was in Austria on Friday, when they lost 2-1 to Iran and were shocking for 45 minutes before veteran boss Hernan Gomez made some key tweaks to personnel and tactics.